Volusia News Now

Courtesy photos / With at least four active wild fires, including a large one in the Maytown Road area, shown here,  at  and at least half a dozen still simmering for several days, firefighters throughout Volusia County continue to work them this morning.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- James Arlotta loves to take his early run on the beach, but not this morning.

"The air is full of smoke," the 54-year-old beachside resident said. "I was out in the smoke all day yesterday and it bothered my eyes and breathing. So when I got up this morning and went outside the smoke was so thick I didn't think it would be healthy to run in."

Smoke is everywhere and driving is particularly hazardous on the interstates.

Firefighters from the Division of Forestry, Volusia County Fire Services, and additional task force teams of city firefighters, continue to work four active fires on this Thursday morning while monitoring several other fires closely, with mop up as needed, throughout Volusia County.

"There are no evacuations at this time," Volusia County spokeswoman Joanne Magley told NSBNews.net at 7:30 a.m.

You may have heard this saying before, I have. It is based on the theory that "Like attracts Like" or the "Law of Attraction." The Law of Attraction says: That which is like unto itself is drawn.

This explains why we enjoy the company of people who are most like us, and why some people become best friends compared with "two boaters passing each other in the Intercoastal with a mere wave."

OAK HILL -- Firefighters from Division of Forestry, Volusia County Fire Services and additional task force teams of city firefighters are working six active fires throughout the county this morning, including a 35-acre fire in Oak Hill near Volco and Beacon Light roads.

Crews remained on scene overnight, with mop up operations expected to continue at all locations throughout the day today, Volusia County spokeswoman Joanne Megley said, adding, of the Oak Hill fire in particular, "There were a number of homes threatened, but no evacuations were ordered."

Courtesy photo / There is a changing of the guard at the Smyrna Yacht Club in New Smyrna Beach. Sean McGuidwin, shown far left, has taken over as general manager for Sandy Lounsbury, shown at right. Standing in the middle is Commodore Ron Blackwood.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH --  It was the burgee as well as the torch that was passed to Sean McGuidwin as the new general manager of the Smyrna Yacht Club from Sandy Lounsbury who has retired after seven years at the helm and 30 years altogether.

The announcement was made Tuesday, though the transition was made earlier this month.

DELAND -- Division of Forestry crews have contained the brush fire at Clark Bay Road and East International Speedway Boulevard in DeLand. The fire, reported at 6:25 p.m. Sunday, topped out at 15 acres.

Eight new brush fires were reported in Volusia County on Sunday and all are contained, Volusia County spokeswoman Pat Kuehn said. 

Sea water temperatures at Ponce Inlet ranged from 77 to 80 degrees. Surf and pier fishermen reported catching a lot of whiting and a few bluefish and black drum. The pompano catch has significantly slowed down. Ladyfish and large Jack Crevalle have been giving good fights to the anglers fishing in Ponce Inlet. The shrimp run has started in the Halifax River.

Courtesy photo / Port Orange police were at the scene of a grisly murder earlier today 3800 block of Sunset Cove Drive.

PORT ORANGE -- Police have identified the woman found murdered early this morning in her Sunset Cove Drive home as 53-year-old Laura J. Hill and that the medical examiner's office determined she was killed by "blunt force trauma," meaning she was likely beaten to death.

Her daughter, 25-year-old Angela M. Hill, found serious injured, but conscious, by Port Orange police officers shortly after 2 a.m. underwent surgery at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and is listed in critical, but stable condition in the intensive care unit.

Port Orange police were alerted by the Sheriff's Office in West Baton Rouge, La., that there had been a high-speed chase on Interstate 10 resulting in a crash and that the two men inside the vehicle were apprehended.